Three guilty of death by dangerous driving following Brierley HGV collision

Date published: 20 February 2019 15:11

Dated: 20 February 2019 15:07:03

Three men have today been found guilty of the death of a 58-year-old woman following a collision in Barnsley last year.

David Mellor, Alan Mawhinney and Wayne Carroll have been on trial for the last three weeks, charged in connection to the fatal collision, which occurred on Friday 14 September 2018, in the village of Brierley.

The three men were passengers in a stolen HGV Tractor Unit, which was being driven dangerously and at speed when it was involved in a collision with mother-of-two, Jaqueline Wileman, on Common Road. Mrs Wileman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The HGV then went on to collide with a house on the street, causing significant damage.

Today, they were all found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, on a joint enterprise basis.

The driver of the HGV, Karn Hill, 23, of East View, Cudworth, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

David Mellor, 48, of Bank End Road, Worsbrough, Barnsley, entered a guilty plea to aggravated vehicle taking at an earlier hearing. Alan Mawhinney, 53, of Calder Crescent, Kendray, Barnsley, also entered a guilty plea to aggravated vehicle taking, mid-way through this trial.

Detective Inspector Rob Platts, who oversaw the investigation, said: “Mrs Wileman’s life was cut tragically short by the horrific events of that Friday afternoon. Her family are now without their mum, daughter, sister and caring friend as a result of the actions by these four men.

“The havoc this incident caused, with the HGV being driven so dangerously and out of control, also resulted in an injury to another driver, severe damage to three other vehicles and damage to a house that will have to be re-built.

“My thoughts are today with Jacqueline’s loved ones who have shown immense strength and dignity throughout the court process.”

“Many people may already have seen the mobile phone footage showing the offenders from this HGV attempting to flee the scene knowing full well what they had just done. Thanks to the brave actions of the people present in Brierley that day, we were able to quickly apprehend these despicable and cowardly men.”

“On behalf of South Yorkshire Police, I wish to thank those people who put themselves in harm’s way to stop the men from getting away, as well as all other people who have come forward to provide evidence in this case.”

“Despite Hill entering a guilty plea, all four men have shown very little true remorse throughout this process and I hope that they will now have a long think and hard look at themselves to maybe fully realise the damage and impact they have caused.

“I can say that Jacqueline’s family and friends, the residents and visitors to Brierley that day, along with all of the other professionals and emergency services who attended and were involved in the investigation will never forget the events of Friday 14 September 2018.”

All four men will return to Sheffield Crown Court tomorrow (Thursday 21 February) for sentencing.

“Mrs Wileman’s life was cut tragically short by the horrific events of that Friday afternoon. Her family are now without their mum, daughter, sister and caring friend as a result of the actions by these four men." - DI Rob Platts